Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of acupuncture in the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS)patients with abdominal obesity by regulating glucose metabolism

insulin resistance

sex hormones

etc.Methods Eligible PCOS volunteers were randomly divided into treatment group(n=30)and control group(n=28).The treatment group received acupuncture therapy three times a week combined with diet control and exercise.EA(2 Hz/100 Hz

4-8 mA)was applied to bilateral Daimai(GB 26)and Tianshu(ST 25)for 20 min/time

and bilateral Daheng(SP 15)

Shenshu(BL 23)

Ciliao(BL 32)

Guilai(ST 29)

Zulinqi(GB 41)and Waiguan(SJ 5)were stimulated with filiform needles

with the needles retained for 20 min.Patients of the control group were asked to restrict intake of dietary calories(low fat

appropriate proteins

and high carbohydrate)and aerobic exercise(>40 min/time)

3 times/week.The treatment duration lasted 12 weeks.Before and after the treatment

serum fasting insulin(FINS)

fasting blood-glucose(FBG)

Testosterone(T)

luteinizing hormone(LH)and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)contents were assayed using immuno-fluorometry

the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)and ratio of LH/FSH were calculated

and body mass index(BMI)

waist circumference(WC)and waist-hip ratio(WHR)were measured

separately.Results Comparison with their own individual pre-treatment

the levels of FINS

HOMAIR

T

LH

LH/FSH

BMI

WC and WHR(not FBG)in both control and treatment groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05

P<0.01)

and the levels of FINS

HOMA-IR and WC were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group(P<0.01

P<0.05).No marked differences were found between two groups in the levels of FBG

T

LH

LH/FSH

BMI and WHR(P>0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture can effectively reduce FINS

HOMA-IR and WC levels in PCOS patients with abdominal obesity

down-regulating insulin resistance

which is significantly superior to simple diet control plus exercise.